Ronnie Hawkins

Ronnie Hawkins is a rockabilly singer who formed his original backing band, the Hawks, while attending the University of Arkansas. After auditioning unsuccessfully for Sun in 1957, he started working regularly in Canada the following year, eventually taking up permanent residence there. After one release on the Canadian Quality label, he signed with Roulette in New York in 1959, having hits with "Forty Days" and "Mary Lou." The live fervor of Hawkins (known as Mr. Dynamo) and the Hawks' show continued in Canada after all the original members except Levon Helm headed back to the U.S. Hawkins quickly hired Canadian players Robbie Robertson, Garth Hudson, Rick Danko, and Richard Manuel as the new Hawks. They stayed with him until 1963, but later became Bob Dylan's backing group and went on to a career of their own as the Band. Hawkins has remained a legend in Canada, recording unrepentant rockabilly sides and gigging constantly. He's still the original Mr. Dynamo, capable of shaking the walls down any old time he feels like it. ~ Cub Koda, Rovi

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@bobonnit, couldn't help but to peak at your bio when I read your comment... I find it very ironic that you describe yourself as a "self-proclaimed Pandora music critic." Your comment is very irrelevant...not to mention you posted it twice. (OMG MAKE IT STOP) You should maybe try out some new hobbies? Just a suggestion. ♡HAVE A BLESSED DAY!!♡ ✌

Robbie Robertson, Levon Helm, et al should have kept Hawkins. He could sing. I couldn't stand The Band because of Helm's annoying hillbilly style. Backing up Dylan, they were great. But songs like The Weight or The Night They Drove Old Dixie ? Yechh

Robbie Robertson, Levon Helm, et al should have kept Hawkins. I couldn't stand The Band because of Helm's annoying hillbilly style. Backing up Dylan, they were great. But songs like The Weight or The Night They Drove Old Dixie ? Yechh